† court holy water Obs.
A proverbial phrase for fair words or flattery without performance or sincere intention. Also called court-water and court-element: see court n.1 19.
| 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. lxxiii. 448 Although some fayre promises be made them, all is but holy water of the Court as they terme it. 1598 Florio, Mantellizare, to flatter, to giue one court holie water [1611 to court one with faire words]. 1605 Shakes. Lear iii. ii. 10 O Nunkle, Court holy-water in a dry house, is better than this Rain-water out o' doore. 1643 Prynne Sov. Power Parl. App. 36 All this Court Holy-Water was onely to keep every Bird within his owne nest. 1649 Milton Eikon. xv. (1851) 450. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. viii. i. §6 Her unperformed promise was the first court holy water which she sprinkled amongst the people. |